Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor and lecturer
Carl Svensson
Contact via Contact via email
4 Research Park Drive
TBD - arrange via email
Lecturer
Adnan Mahmood
Lecturer
Frances Louise
Frances Louise
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
COMP1350 or ISYS114
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
co-badged with COMP6350
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides an in-depth study of modern database technology and its dominant role in developing and maintaining enterprise information systems. The aim is to teach students how to program database applications. The emphasis is placed on business applications, using Structured Query Language (SQL) as an interactive and a programmatic language, on principles of the relational-database model, and on fundamental components of a client-server database-management system. Practical work involves the use of a commercial database-management system together with programming tools. |
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
This assumes the calendar week starts on a Monday. Note that these are a deadline - not a goal - so don't aim for them. It is expected that students start early and iterate on their assessments. Submission boxes are open and allow for students to update their submission up until the assignment deadline. Note that there is a daylight savings change on Sunday in week 9 (2nd October).
A separate assignment box will be available for grace period submissions and late-penalty submissions during the submission window. No further submissions will be able to be made to the original assignment box submissions. If there is a submission in the grace period submission box / late-penalty submission box, this will be taken as the submission to be marked rather than the one in the originial submission box.
For assignment 1, 2, or 3: It is expected that you continue on your assignment while waiting a for special consideration application to be processed (unless the circumstances surrounding the special consideration are ongoing). Put in an Ask.mq special consideration and mention whether it is for Assignment 1, Assignment 2, or Assignment 3.
For one of the quizzes: If you are ill, have respiratory symptoms (cold / flu), or need to isolate for covid-related reasons, there are two things to do here.
1: submit a special consideration request via Ask.mq and
2: notify the convenor via email once this has been submitted.
The convenor will be in touch via email to look at alternate arrangements based on the circumstances of the situation. In the special consideration application, mention whether it is for Quiz 1, Quiz 2, or Quiz 3.
For all other special consideration situations, apply through Ask.mq as soon as possible and email the convenor once it has been submitted.
For the final exam: If you are ill / have respiratory symptoms, or have to isolate due to covid related reasons (even on the day of the exam), or have any other circumstances listed in the special consideration provisions of the university policy, then submit an Ask.mq special consideration request and send an email to the unit convenor. If the special consideration is approved, then you will be notified of an alternate date to attempt a supplementary exam during the Faculty / University supplimentary exam period. Please make yourself aware of when these dates are as they become available.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Online Quizzes | 20% | No | Week 3, 7, and 11 |
Assignment 1 | 10% | No | Week 5 |
Assignment 2 | 10% | No | Mid Semester Break W2 |
Assignment 3 | 10% | No | Week 12 |
Final Examination | 50% | No | Written exam scheduled during the exam period |
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 3, 7, and 11
Weighting: 20%
There will be many quizzes over the semester to encourage engagement with and understanding of the material by the students.
Assessment Type 1: Modelling task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 10%
Assignment 1 will focus on conceptual modelling and logical design of databases.
Assessment Type 1: Design Implementation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Mid Semester Break W2
Weighting: 10%
Assignment 2 will assess students' ability to implement a relational database as well as querying that database.
Assessment Type 1: Programming Task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 10%
Assignment 3 will assess students' ability to enhance a database through procedural programming.
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: Written exam scheduled during the exam period
Weighting: 50%
The final examination will assess students' understanding of the fundamental concepts behind database management systems, and their skills in database programming and development.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Each week during the semester you should set aside two hours for lectures, one hour for a tutorial class and one hour for a practical session. For details of days and times consult the timetables webpage at https://timetables.mq.edu.au/2022/. More specific information will be announced via the unit webpage on iLearn. Students are urged to actively participate in the tutorials; this helps enhancing the understanding by students.
Note that practicals and tutorials commence in week 2. You should have selected a practical session and a tutorial session during enrolment. You should attend the sessions you are enrolled in.
Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials
Textbook
The textbook listed below cover much of the required material that will be used in preparation of lectures and/or assignments and/or practicals.
For some parts of learning, other necessary material will be made available on the unit iLearn site.
Unit reading details and breakdowns are available through the Leganto Block in the unit iLearn page.
Digital recordings of lectures will be available on iLearn via tools such as Echo360 and Zoom.
Websites
The web page for this unit can be found at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
Technology
In this unit you will be exposed to the following technology and tools
Discussion Boards
The unit will make use of discussion boards hosted within iLearn. Please post questions there, they will be monitored by the staff on the unit regularly.
Week |
Topic |
Reading |
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1 |
Introduction to databases and their uses Introduction to the relational model |
Connolly & Begg, Chapters 1,2,4 + lecturer-provided notes |
2 |
Database modeling (ER modeling, EER modeling) |
Connolly & Begg, Chapters 12-13 |
3 |
(Conceptual, logical, and physical) database design |
Connolly & Begg, Chapters 16-17 |
4-6 |
Data manipulation and database normalisation |
Connolly & Begg, Chapters 6, 14-15 |
7 |
Relational algebra and query optimisation |
Connolly & Begg, Chapter 5 |
2-week mid-session teaching break -- work on assessments -- |
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8-9 |
Database programming |
Connolly & Begg, Chapter 8 |
10 |
Transaction management |
Connolly & Begg, Chapter 22 |
11 |
Concurrency control and data recovery |
Connolly & Begg, Chapter 22 + lecturer-provided notes |
12 |
Data storage and management | Lecturer-provided notes |
13 |
Revision |
Lecturer-provided notes |
3-week examination period. The database systems final exam will be scheduled during this period | ||
Marks reporting period | ||
Supplimentatry exam period (See university / faculty dates for details) |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Based on the feedback from the previous offerings, this offering is:
This offering is only changing some of the items based on feedback from the previous offerings. Other items brought forward by students are being reviewed at the program / degree level and require further consultation before further adjustments are considered to address those items.
Unit information based on version 2022.04 of the Handbook